CM favours inter-linking of southern rivers, integration of Dravidian states

Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Saturday inaugurated a dedicated Institute for Dravidian Studies and urged the institute to work towards the integration of Dravidian states under which all the south Indian states can share and exchange the surplus natural resources, hydropower and the agricultural produce cultivated in the Dravidian heartland. 

All the south Indian states share similar culture, rituals and sentiments under the Dravidian ideology and there is a need for more unity particularly in sharing fresh water. It’s time for the Dravidian states to unite and share the freshwater resources.

AIADMK founder MG Ramachandran and Andhra Pradesh’s iconic leader NT Rama Rao have set examples on Dravidian bonhomie by sharing Krishna water for the water-starved Chennai. Going by such examples, all south Indian rivers including Mahanadi, Krishna, Godavari, Cauvery, Pennaru, Paalaru, Vaigai, Guntaru, Pamba and Achankoil Vaipparu should be interlinked, Palaniswami said.

“Similarly, the agriculture produces cultivated in the Dravidian heartland should be shared between the neighbouring states. To promote the concept of Dravidian ideologies and sharing, Tamil Nadu is extending its support for the interlinking of all south Indian rivers,” the Chief Minister explained.

Palaniswami also recalled the rich contribution of Tamil language to Dravidian history. Students should vow to promote the rich legacy of Tamil language which has been glorified by the British during the colonial era, he said. The Chief Minister also urged Tamil professors and scholars to utilise the Dravidian institute for their literary works and research.

Every year the state will provide Rs 1 crore fund as a corpus to promote the compilation of Tamil lexicon. Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and state Ministers took part in the event.

Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Saturday announced a series of infrastructure projects for Kancheepuram district. Addressing a government function the Chief Minister said that local people’s long pending demand for a major bus terminal at Keezhkathirpur will soon be taken up. The state had sanctioned Rs 38 crore for the project, he said.

Similarly, the government hospital at Kancheepuram will be upgraded with a maternity and neonatal care ward at a cost of Rs 20 crore. The entire health sector in the district will undergo upgradation at a cost of Rs 90 crore in the current fiscal and the project upon completion will serve the public thronging government hospitals.

In a bid to conserve rainwater and to prevent flooding in Kancheepuram, the state had also proposed seven new check dams across the water bodies and this project will also begin shortly, Palaniswami said.

Meanwhile, the state government on Friday inaugurated projects worth over Rs 550 crore. A press release from the secretariat said that Chief Minister Palaniswami inaugurated 17 power substations constructed at a cost of Rs 495 crore.

To facilitate the smooth transition of power, a major substation is established at Porur in Chennai at a cost of Rs 245 crores. Similar substations have been established in Cuddalore, Virudhunagar, Dharmapuri, Nagapattinam, Karur and Erode districts, the release said. 

Another release said that the Chief Minister also opened new buildings and police stations constructed for the police and fire department. The state has spent Rs 44 crore towards the infrastructure boost for the police and fire service departments, the release added.